Zoning modifications made for craft breweries and ordinance approved for easier approval for outdoor dining

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The San Diego City Council voted Tuesday to change two major restaurant rules involving craft breweries and outdoor dining.

Council members approved zoning changes that will let craft breweries open full-service tasting rooms and restaurants. They also approved a new sidewalk café ordinance that will make it easier for restaurants to have outdoor dining.

Currently breweries in the city of San Diego are unable to have restaurants attached to their tasting rooms and restrictions had some micro-brewers look at other cities for their business. The changes could benefit dozens of establishments.

Brewery zoning alterations still needs to be approved by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board of Directors this summer.

San Diego's Top Breweries

Also a sidewalk café ordinance passed unanimously, clearing the way for more curbside dining in San Diego.

Previously, permits for outdoor dining could cost more than $10,000 and would take months of approval. Now restaurants will face permit fees around a few hundred dollars, according to council member Lorie Zapf’s office.

Opponents of the ordinance have said that it will create noise in residential areas and walkability would be compromised.

Cheap Eats

Sidewalk dining will keep a single row of tables within 4-feet-6-inches of the building, while keeping an open path on the sidewalk for pedestrians.

Local community regulations will still be in effect, which means some neighborhoods may have a curfew for outdoor dining. Music will also not be allowed at sidewalk cafes.

Published at 6:10 PM PDT on May 14, 2013 | Updated at 8:28 AM PDT on May 15, 2013